Current status is Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1772

1. Short title
2. Findings
3. English as official language of the United States
4. General rules of construction for english language texts of the laws of the United States
5. Implementing regulations
6. Effective date

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Designation of English as the Official Language of the United States Act of 2025".

2. Findings

The Congress finds and declares the following:

(1) - The United States is composed of individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, and continues to benefit from this rich diversity.

(2) - Throughout the history of the United States, the common thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been the English language.

(3) - Among the powers reserved to the States respectively is the power to establish the English language as the official language of the respective States, and otherwise to promote the English language within the respective States, subject to the prohibitions enumerated in the Constitution of the United States and in laws of the respective States.

(4) - President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive order on March 1, 2025 "Designating English as the Official Language of The United States."

3. English as official language of the United States

(a) In general - Title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:

(b) Clerical amendment - The table of chapters at the beginning of title 4, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 5 the following new item:

4. General rules of construction for english language texts of the laws of the United States

(a) In general - Chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

9. General rules of construction for laws of the United States

(a) - English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with the laws of the United States.

(b) - Any ambiguity in the English language text of the laws of the United States shall be resolved, in accordance with the last two articles of the Bill of Rights, not to deny or disparage rights retained by the people, and to reserve powers to the States respectively, or to the people.

(b) Clerical amendment - The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 1 of title 1 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8 the following new item:

5. Implementing regulations

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, issue for public notice and comment a proposed rule for uniform testing of English language ability of candidates for naturalization, based upon the principles that—

(1) - all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States which are made in pursuance thereof; and

(2) - any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum.

6. Effective date

The amendments made by sections 3 and 4 shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

119-HR1772

Designation of English as the Official Language of the United States Act of 2025